Part 1 of 2: City Planning Backslides Creating Loopholes For Mansionization

GET READY. WE'RE GOING TO NEED YOUR HELP.

Pictured above are the typical hillside homes on Joaquin Drive where compatibility has been the norm for over 40 years. The homes on this tract were thoughtfully developed by SoCaLand Corporation in 1971 and are protected by CC&Rs as well as the Hillside Development Agreement that identify standards to maintain design context including massing, shape, size, and location to preserve views. On Monday, September 14th, the Planning Board rubber stamped a Hillside Development Exemption Permit wholly supported and recommended by the Burbank Planning Staff, exempting the new owner of the home in the background on Joaquin Drive from the Eight (8) Required Findings under the Hillside Development Agreement and with complete disregard to the SoCaLand CC&Rs. It is Preserve Burbank's position that this project should have never gotten past the planning desk.

A little history...The Hillside Development Agreement has been in city codes for over 60 years largely going unacknowledged by the city until the past few years and now waking to challenge the inappropriate mansionization that has invaded Burbank. And the Hillside Development Agreement has served as the model for the terms of the current Interim Development Construction Ordinance (IDCO) while the city's hired architectural firm, Dyett & Bhatia, identifies design context and compatibility throughout Burbank's neighborhoods.

GET READY. WE'RE GOING TO NEED YOUR HELP.

And now Burbank's Planning Department and Planning Board have laid the proverbial egg. Although the modest home in the foreground on Joaquin Drive will suffer the immediate consequences from the potential construction of a mansion on the flag lot immediately downhill, not to mention the animosity between two neighbors brought on by Planning's inconsistent evaluation of the project, the greater issue is the backsliding precedent created, while at the same time, the city is attempting to move forward to identify and establish meaningful design compatibility in our residential neighborhoods.

GET READY. WE'RE GOING TO NEED YOUR HELP.

Provided below are photos of:

•Existing 1971 Ranch Home on Joaquin Drive
•37.4% reduced images submitted by the property owner to support the concept of the Proposed "Addition", supported by Planning Staff & approved by Planning Board
•Actual Scale Rendering of "New Construction"

Also provided are photos of the prevailing neighborhood character.

Existing 1971 Ranch at 2619

Prevailing Size

Roof Lines Enhance Topography and Slope

37.4% Reduced Image = "Addition"

Joaquin Drive Prevailing Character

Prevailing Design Character

Prevailing Scale

Actual Scale = New Home

Setbacks Minimize Massing

Low Sweeping Roof Lines Preserve Views and Air

GET READY. WE'RE GOING TO NEED YOUR HELP.

Appeals have been filed to City Council. But your support will be needed at the City Council meeting which will be announced over the next month or so. In the meantime, you will receive informational updates on this specific issue to better prepare you when that meeting time arrives.

Part 2 of 2 will include an overview of the Hillside Development Agreement paying particular attention to the 8 Required Findings, the Proposed "Addition" to the existing home approved by Planning Staff & Board, and Preserve Burbank's rebuttal.